Rise To Stardom - Chapter 155

Chapter 155: A Force of Nature
“Are You Not Entertained?!”

“We are!” Katie, Amy, Liz, Ellen and Hannah, chimed in unison with a mix of thrilled grins and excited laughter.

“Dreamboat you sly, slippery devil…” Lily, on the other hand, squinted at him with an impressed grin as she commented.

“Or ‘Hello’, as friends typically greet their friends.” Kyle offered instead.

“Don’t start!” Lily instantly countered his witty response.

“You don’t get to say that!” Ryan retaliated with a pointed finger.

“Cut the bullshit and give us the deets!” Steven requested with a light grin.

“You ain’t getting out of this one that easy, buster.” Joe waved off his comment.

“Go on Sapphire. Explain yourself. We’re all ears.” Jasmine inquired, her gaze trained on him like a woman on a mission.

To all these, Kyle simply chuckled, after which his gaze then landed on Christina with a warm smile.

In response, the lady, instead of questioning him for his mischievous act like the rest, gently pat the empty seat beside her instead, a warm, inviting smile on her lips.

“Why thank you, fair lady.” Kyle accepted her offer with a genuine compliment of his own while ignoring his friends who simply shook their heads in amused resignation.

They knew he’d eventually fill them up on everything that had happened but for now, they’d let him have his peace with the lovely soul that was Christina Aubert.

Added to that, he had just performed two songs back to back in front of such a large audience and they especially, given their line of work, knew he needed to get some rest instead of bothering him with their own curious questions.

Carl’s concert too, had only just gotten started as the international superstar, sang one of his most popular rock songs that had the entire stadium, singing along in feverish excitement!

<And I here I thought you couldn’t look any more beautiful. You look stunning.> Kyle signed to the lady after he had properly settled, to which Christina furiously blushed, after which she then signed in response, a lovely expression on her features;

<Thank you.>

<But Kyle, why haven’t you changed outfits?> Christina then inquired, her evergreen irises curious.

Typically, the outfit an artist wore while performing live, was usually different from how they’d dress normally.

Even now, Kyle was dressed in a snug white expensive designer T-shirt that hugged and showed off his buffed build, a black jean jacket, similarly slim-fitted black jeans and a pair of exquisite-looking Jordans that probably cost a fortune for an average, working class person.

In response to the lady’s astute observation though, Kyle, leaned on a curled fist and gave her cheeky grin without saying a thing, an act that bolstered an amused Christina’s curiosity even further.

However, unknown to Kyle, Christina, and even the others, what had just been a simple interaction between good friends, would end up being one of the most viewed celebrity clips for a long, long while to come as many excited fans in the stands, recorded their entire interaction.

But as for now, Kyle returned his attention to the stage where Carl was performing as he too, enjoyed the concert.

It was, after all, his very first concert.

…

…

…

“I need to use the restroom. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” Kyle whom had been sipping on a smoothie, carefully placed the empty plastic cup on his seat while informing his friends.

Acknowledging his words, the group of friends simply focused their attention on stage as Carl, kept performing, awaiting Kyle’s return.

A few minutes later, Carl then announced to the audience;

“And now, it’s time for the last song of the day.”

There was a mixed response to his words this time as majority of the audience cheered on in excitement, while others, noticeably groaned in dissatisfaction as they wished the concert would continue on, late into the wee hours of the midnight.

That said, 9:30pm was the planned time for the concert to end and Carl, with his experience over the years, knew it was key to ending the show on a punctual note.

And so, casually walking towards the session musicians, one of them, handed him an acoustic guitar with a strap.

At the same time, Kyle whom had taken off his jean jacket and tied it to his waist, appeared from backstage, his own acoustic guitar, slung over his shoulders with the strap.

Finally walking on stage again alongside Carl as they moved towards the prepped mic stands, almost everyone in the audience had noticeably surprised yet curious expressions on their features.

At the same time, all of Kyle’s buddies, darted their gazes over to his seat and realized that he had once again, given them the slip.

“Darn it, Kyle!” Ryan commented audibly as the rest of his buddies, simply let out a mix of accepting sighs, soft chuckles and light-hearted laughter, all with genuine hints of amusement in their eyes.

Today it seemed, was Kyle’s lucky day as he kept messing with them effortlessly.

Still, just as the audience was curious about Kyle coming back on-stage for the last song, his friends were too.

Typically, it was a very rare case for an opener to still come back on stage for another performance, much less the last song so, their ever-growing interest was completely understandable.

Most wondered which of Carl’s song they wanted to perform together to round up the concert but, the moment the soft, acoustic chords of the guitar cascaded into their ears from both musicians on-stage, it quickly became evident to any of Carl’s fans that this wasn’t a song they knew.

Yet, before their minds could even race to the fact that it was a new song that Carl possibly wanted to promote using the mini-tour, his raspy, raw vocals, silenced their thoughts.

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

I saw you standing there, under the lamp’s glow,

A moment frozen in time, and I just had to know,

I walked into your world, you pulled me close,

And in that single heartbeat, I knew what I’d do.

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

The first verse of the song, instantly set the stage for an abstract romantic story that anyone could interpret as they saw fit.

It was established, right there and then.

This was definitely a new song from Carl Finch!

Yet, considering that Carl was mostly known for pop-rock songs more than anything else, it was also no new knowledge to anyone that whenever he decided to make a ballad, they were always, solid hits.

And so, almost everyone whom hadn’t been previously recording, instantly pulled out their phones while listening on as the superstar, sang both the pre-chorus and proceeded to move over to the chorus.

At the exact same time, the strings of [Resonance] from Kyle, had already diffused into every corner of the stadium as he joined in at the chorus.

If before they had been golden ever since it increased to Grade {B}, Kyle, possibly because it was his very first time using it at Grade {A}, noticed that the strings were now a mix of gold and platinum.

Completely unbothered by it though, he kept performing as his own gentle, emotive vocals, took charge of the second verse.

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

We’ve built a life from dreams, one step at a time,

Through every whispered word, you’ve been mine,

My fears all fade away, when you’re around,

I’ll stay with you my dear, till the end of time.

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

Compared to Carl’s more abstract way of composing that allowed the listener to interpret his lyrics as they saw fit, Kyle’s style of composing, perfectly stood out in the second verse with his diaristic approach that offered an insight into a story he was trying to tell;

The progression of the love story of the abstract strangers now-turned couples from the first verse.

And yet, possibly because of the fact that it was a romantic ballad, these two styles of composing, perfectly complemented the other, just like the way their symphony of raw and emotive vocals, blended perfectly into the chorus they were singing.

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

So hold me close tonight, don’t let me go,

I wanna be the one you call, through the highs and lows,

We’ll take it slow my dear, that I assure…

‘Cause I need you in my life, more than you’ll ever know.

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

The subtle change in the lyrics of the second chorus to fit the narrative, didn’t go unnoticed by most people in the audience.

It was also at that moment, that it really dawned on everyone that this was a song, written together by both individuals.

There was no going to be any ‘feat.’ when the song was released officially.

Just ‘and’.

And that, in and of itself, was a great feat for the rising star, Kyle Kestis.

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

I’ll be the one, who’s always there,

I’ll share life’s burdens, with you,

When the world feels cold and far away,

I’ll be your shelter, I’ll stay…

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

“He’s just, so unbelievable at this point…” Lily quietly commented with the warmest of smiles while listening to the beautiful song from the two musicians as they sang the bridge.

“I told you, didn’t I? Kyle’s a force of nature… and deservedly so.” Jasmine whom had heard her comment, quietly chipped in while with a warm smile of her own.

Honestly, for as long as she had been in the industry, she hadn’t met anyone who did such a perfect job of blending both their acting and singing career so efficiently well.

Typically, it was either they sacrificed one for the other.

And yet, here Kyle was, making the seemingly impossible, look so easy.

As Amy made a video of the performance of the two stars on stage with a happy smile on her lips, Christina on the other hand, had such a beautiful smile on her features as happy tears brimmed on her eyelids.

Considering she had always been one of Kyle’s biggest supporters and also a close friend, the lady always found herself so overwhelmed with happiness whenever she saw him succeeding.

As for Ryan, Steven and Joe, they simply, watched on in pride, a sense of satisfaction welling in their hearts.

If there was anyone amongst their group that they believed was meant to really go places, they wouldn’t think twice before they chose Kyle.

He really did deserve all of the success he was getting with the insane amount of hard work and effort he was putting in.

As for the two musicians, they had already sung the last chorus as they finally, ended the song with the outro.

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

So hold me close tonight (hold me close…),

I’ll never let you go (never let you go…),

We’ll take it slow my dear (that I assure…),

Just promise me darling (promise you’ll hold on).

🎸 🎶 ♫🎵

-Ding!

No sooner had the song ended though, the atmosphere in the stadium now at its absolute peak as everyone showered them with the loudest applauds, cheers and whistles, Kyle, finally, gave his gratitude to the audience while ignoring the ringing in his head.

“Thank you! Thank you so much, Los Angeles! You’ve been incredible tonight!”

Carl on the other hand, ready to end the show on a high note, gave his own comments with a genuinely appreciative tone.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much for being part of this unforgettable night!” he said to the crowd who cheered even louder as he continued;

“This is just the beginning of the tour, and what a way to kick it off! You’ve set the bar high Finches!”

To that, the crowd cheered even more, the sound starting to get deafening.

But Carl, being as experienced as he was, finally rounded up the concert with a few more words while blowing a kiss to the audience;

“So, until next time, keep the love, keep the energy and I’ll see you soon! Goodnight Los Angeles!!!”

And with that final statement from him, Kyle and Carl, exchanged a firm handshake and a simple hug as both, finally headed off-stage, the audience, cheering loudly in the background.